Crowds turned out at fundraising events across Poland Jan. 12 to collect donations for sick kids and the elderly in the culmination of the 22nd Great Christmas Aid Orchestra (WOSP) charity drive, an annual event that has become a cultural and social institution in Poland.

Thousands of young volunteers appeared on the streets throughout Poland, carrying characteristic collection boxes with the Orchestra's emblem: a red heart and giving red heart-shaped stickers in return for small contributions.

During the day-long event, besides street-collecting of money, numerous auctions took place in the WOSP centers operating across the country. As part of the effort hundreds of music concerts and artistic events were also organized all over Poland and abroad.

This year collections and auctions were held to raise funds for for specialistic child rescue equipment and geriatric care. As of Sunday late evening funds raised totaled over PLN 34 million.

Last year, The Great Christmas Aid Orchestra collected over PLN 50 million via street collections and celebrity auctions.